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For the past 17 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
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LAST week, my ears caught some juicy rumors about some key players in the Fil-Am rock scene, which I believe are spinning toward the truth. Yes, my friends, my sources are 100 percent reliable when it comes to gossip and I am confident that what I write here has a lot of meat in it. But due to the sensitivity of these issues, I have decided to withhold the real names of the persons involved.
DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based entirely on rumors related by a “source”, a scene insider, a mole, who has access to the gossip that breathes in and around the circuits.
These rumors in no way reflect my personal views and convictions, nor the paper’s and must be treated as such; gossip.
Shattered bonds
The mole, first and foremost, told me about disband rumors, and severed friendships, which are revolving around the scene like vultures around a dying wolf.- The rumor mill has it that a Bergenfield group pulled out of an upcoming gig because they are disbanding. Yes folks, this band has been very active in the gig scene this summer, but based from what the mill had spun, the band is apparently on the brink of a full collapse due to changed priorities and musical differences.
- How true is it that a “legendary” Jersey City rock band is also falling apart? A band’s key member is apparently unhappy with the band’s slow moving direction and as a result, joined a laidback, pop-variety band instead, where he is presumably very happy. This band is a big player in the whole music scene because of their longevity and their zeal in producing Fil-Am rock events.
- So it has been circulating that a bad feud developed between a notable radio host and his co-host, which resulted in the resignation of the latter. Mr. DJ is known to hold very strong beliefs about the Fil-Am scene and really goes the distance in defending his convictions. Could it be that the separation of these two personalities was caused by the co-host’s apparent compromise with the forces that Mr. DJ are against? Too bad, because the two always sounded great together when they were on air.
Saints or sinners?- There has been considerable talk about two Fil-Am rock venues under close questioning by the authorities due to legal matters. True? It was disclosed by my mole that the two venues, which are known to host Pinoy rock bands, are operating without the proper permits and thus, incurred the wrath of some city officials. As of press time, only one of the two venues mentioned is going on with its rock n’ roll operations. The other one simply folded into obscurity.
(Side note: In spite of this nasty rumor, I admire these two venues for risking it all just to give life to a budding scene)
Flopmania
Sometime last Tuesday, the mole sent me an email stating that a well-known concert producer has lost a considerable amount of money due to a number of flops in the gig scene. It was later learned that one venue barred the production company for ever having an event there because of a previous event, which resulted in a mess; logistically and financially. It was also mentioned in the email that the producer is considering a life outside the production business because of the huge losses.
Sex, drugs, and rock n’roll
Last September 24, at a recent show in NYC, there were some eyewitness reports that a member of one of the performing bands was caught doing crack in the toilet and later was found half-naked with his girlfriend in the same area. Later after the show, it was observed that the two left the club and finished their business in the privacy of their automobile.
The band member is known to be a notable producer and bassist for his band.
• • • • •
Bleudwatch
Alpha Music Philippines’ Rock compilation CD, “Silver Shiny Jeepney” featuring the best Filipino and Fil-American bands, is on the top 25 of Tower Record’s charts. The compilation also features, our very own Jersey goup, Bleud, with their song “Hello My Friends, Hello”.
You can check this CD at Alpha’s website at www.alphamusic.ph, and also watch Bleud’s music video for the same song.
Musings of ...
One of the most anticipated Fil-Am releases this fall is Bleud’s debut album, “Musings of a Caffeine Addict". The album contains 13- all original tracks, including “Hello My Friends, Hello”, and the band’s hit song, “Bye Bye Na”. The CD will be available in major record stores like Amazon.com, Tower Records, VirginMega.com, Borders.com, CD baby, and Target.com and Waldenbooks.com.
You can check Bleud’s site at www.bleud.doesntexist.com
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Ted Reyes is a musician, composer, record producer and journalist based in NYC. If you have any comments you can visit his website at www.tedreyes.com or email him at tedreyes@mac.com
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MANILA --- Just because Ruffa Gutierrez flew in from Turkey without her husband, tongues started wagging that they must now be separated.
‘Sorry to disappoint them but our marriage remains okay,’ she says. ‘Yilmaz is very loving and responsible. After work, he just stays home, so I’m really happy with him. I’m also close to my in-laws.
“Yilmaz can’t join me and our two daughters as he’s busy with his own businesses in Istanbul. I came here for a month’s vacation and for the baptism of my daughter Venice on October 2. It was Yilmaz who urged me to go home as I really need a break. Four months ago, he was shot and for one week at the ICU and during his recovery period, I never left his side. So he told me that after that difficult time, I’m entitled to spend time with my own family and friends and enjoy myself here. So heto, I came home. But we became much closer after that incident. Noong mag-boyfriend pa lang kami, we fought a lot, but now, we’ve mellowed and our relationship is more peaceful. Yilmaz has also learned a lesson, not to be too trusting, as the guy who shot him was supposed to be his friend. Pero ayun, he fled and can’t be found.”
How will she describe her life now? “It’s surely very different from my life before. I’m now a hands-on wife and mother, but I also have my own business in Turkey, Fashion TV. I have my own circle of friends in Istanbul and I help out in charity projects, pero siempre, miss ko rin ang friends ko rito. In Turkey, I don’t want to be known as a movie star but as a wife, mother, and a businesswoman.”
What happened to Selen, the woman with whom Yilmaz has a daughter? “We’re okay now. I never considered her a problem. Siyang namroblema sa’kin. They were never married. Now, we’ve set aside our differences for the sake of their child, Nazo, who’s 7 years old. The girl visits us often and she’s so happy to be with her two sisters, Lorin, who looks like me, and Venice, who’s a carbon copy of Yilmaz.”
When is she going to have another baby? “I told Yilmaz rest muna ako for four years. After that, we can try having a son naman.”
While she’s here, Ruffa will be guesting in her brother Richard’s toprated “Sugo” where she’ll play Bellisima. “I’ll be wearing a costume and have some magical powers. Excited nga ako to act again. I’ll also guest in ‘Extra Challenge’ with my friend Donita Rose and with Jasmine Trias.”
She also just signed a contract as the image model of Drs. Manny and Pie Calayan. “Ruffa will be on our billboards, print ads and TV commercials,” says Dr. Manny.
“I’ll also have some lipo-lite sessions with them to get rid of the fats I gained when I was pregnant and the stretchmarks on my tummy,” says Ruffa. “This is a non-surgical procedure but done with laser treatment to get rid of cellulites. For my skin care, Dr. Pie will take care of me. They’ll help my maintain my beauty and figure.”
How long is the contract she signed with them? It’s Dr. Manny who replies: “Lifetime na ‘yan. We love having Ruffa working with us.”(MNS)
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MANILA --- In his time, Hajji was known as the “Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala.” He was, after all, not only gifted with a beautiful voice but he was also good looking. His being an Atenean added more to his charm.
“My dad had easy access to showbiz, and this must have rubbed on to me. I became a part of Kuya Germs’ ‘That’s Entertainment’ (on GMA 7) ng walang kahirap-hirap,” Rachel revealed.
Her stint in German Moreno’s show helped enhance her hosting and singing skills. She also learned what real showmanship means.
When she left “That’s Entertainment,” Rachel had already developed her own singing style, and thus became known not just as the daughter of Hajji.
“But I’ve always been proud na makilala bilang anak ni Hajji. He is a good father,” Rachel sincerely said.
When their parents separated, then four-year-old Rachel and her younger sister, Barney, lived with their paternal grandma and father. Then Hajji tied the knot with the late Rio Diaz. Rachel’s mom, meanwhile, is now married to a millionaire foreigner. Her Mom has a house in New York where she usually stays over whenever she has a performance in the US.
The past years found Rachael doing a series of shows in Europe and the US. This is why, she’s excited about the idea of performing I a special bar tour that will include the popular spots in Metro Manila: Ratsky’s Morato (Sept. 21 and 28); Ratsky’s Malate (Oct. 24); #19 East Sucat (Sept. 29); Intercon Hotel (Sept. 30) and Dish Oct. 12.
Rachel’s talent manager, Girlie Rodis, said that additional bars in October are still to be confirmed.
Rachael’s repertoire will include most of the most requested songs from the ‘80s as well as her own hits. Rachel’s cousin, Niño Alejandro and his band, The Force, will join her on stage.
Rachel swears she’s loveless at the moment. She was last linked to Lee Robin Salazar. Prior to Lee Robin, she went out with Dingdong Avanzado, who is now married to fellow singer, Jessa Zaragoza.
She almost had a romance in Australia while on vacation there last year. “Pero, napurnada,” she laughed. “Mababait din sana ang mga Australyano. Niño’s girlfriend is an Australian. And we, in the family, all like her.”
Marriage is not yet on her mind though. She still has a lot of dreams to fulfill. Besides, the one reason why most women marry, that of having a baby, is not her priority.
Right now, aside from singing, Rachel is busy with the businesses she has put up with her sister, Barney, and cousin, Niño. There is the Sexy Chef, which prepares diet meals for those who are conscious of their figures. It caters to, more or less, 50 patrons a day.
Soon, Rachel and Barney will open a coffee shop along Katipunan in Quezon City. Then there is the Stuff-de-Sal stand in The Fort in Taguig where pandesal with non-cholesterol and non-fat filling is served. (MNS)
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MANILA --- We ask Jasmine Trias how “American Idol” changed her life. “A lot, dramatically!” she says. “I was just a simple high school girl in Hawaii when I took the audition. I keep making it in every level of the audition until I became a part of the final 12. Since ‘American Idol’ is the number one show in America, having that kind of exposure on national TV can definitely change your life. I became a celebrity overnight so I have to be conscious of how I carry myself in public all the time. Privacy is now a luxury for me. The governor of Hawaii even declared a special Jasmine Trias day in my honor.”
Jasmine is currently in town to promote her first album for Universal Records. The self-titled album is a splendid combination of pop, ballad and R&B songs, with 14 tracks. The first single is the dance tune “Lose Control,” produced by Noel Macanaya a.k.a. DJ Mod. The second single is “Sana Lagi,” a Korean ballad with Filipino lyrics by John Barnard Borja and Ito Rapadas. Both songs have well-produced music videos shot in Hawaii, with “Sana Lagi” directed by Jeffrey Tan. The other great cuts are “Excuses,” which hit number 1 on Wave 89.1FM (the first station to play songs from the album), “Inseparable” (her signature song in “American Idol”), Vehnee Saturno’s “Kung Paano,” “If Ever I See Heaven,” “Can’t Hold You Back” and her song with South Border, “Once Again,” composed by Jay Durias. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Apparently unable to resist the call of her father’s world Lovey Poe has formally entered show business to begin a singing career.
Poe on Thursday signed a recording contract with Sony BMG becoming its newest artist.
The 16-year-old stunner, whose full name is Lourdes Virginia Poe, is the daughter of the late Fernando Poe Jr. by former model Rowena Moran.
Poe admitted that her decision to follow her father’s footsteps was against her mother’s will.
“My mom cried when I insisted but this is what I really want. I just have to submit to her conditions. Her only condition is that I should continue studying, and finish school,” Poe said.
She is currently in third year high school at the San Agustin College where she has had her baptism of fire as a singer and stage artist. Her biggest role yet was as Belle for the musical play “Beauty and the Beast,” which the school organized.
Since her first TV appearance the young mestiza has often been compared with KC Concepcion and Vina Morales. With such great voice entertainment aficionados said they see the next Sharon Cuneta in Da King’s daughter.
Media people, on the other hand, were one in saying that Poe was indeed his father’s daughter--a natural charmer whose mere grin holds a lasting charisma.
“Sometimes I also want to be alone like my dad but I am really happiest when I am with people,” Poe said when asked about the traits that she got from her father.
Poe said she dedicates her first recording to her father, whose death gave her the passport to showbiz. The teener was first publicly introduced as the late actor’s daughter during his wake in December last year. She later started to appear in TV programs.
Now that she has entered his father’s kingdom, Poe admitted that she was happy and knew that her father would have been happier for her.
“He said before that there was a right time for everything. I think he would say now is the time for me to do the thing that I really love to do, which is singing,” Poe said. (MNS)
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MANILA --- The public first saw her in a Coca-Cola TV ad. She wasn’t even 18 years old when she filmed the commercial, yet she left an indelible impression with TV audiences. She was one of those nameless, enigmatic beauties who made people note, “There’s something about this girl that makes her so memorable.” So fresh and beguiling was she that the commercial’s scenario didn’t seem far-fetched. Strangers could actually approach her to offer her a bottle of Coke.
Today nearly everyone knows Nikki Gil and she assures everyone she isn’t the daughter of the infamous politico-wannabe Eddie.
She does continue, however, to display a lot of things that make her even more memorable. There is to start with, her talent for singing. She is now a full-fledged recording artist with the release of her debut album under EMI Music Philippines. The self-titled album has already a hit single, tooóthe lilting “Sakayan sa Jeep,” which was written by Bodjie Dasig. She sings it soothingly and the song is a welcome change from the noisy recordings that dominate the radio airwaves.
Gil never had any formal training in music. Her singing talent runs in the blood and apparently she has been singing since she was three years old. She did study the piano, though. “My family is musically inclined. When I was little I’d do a musical number at every Christmas reunion. Dad also sings and plays the guitar and mom used to sing in the church choir. My younger sister sings, too.”
Gil followed in the footsteps of her mother when she joined the church choir. She was naturally a stand out in and it was just inevitable for her to have a career in show business. She was first asked to audition for a commercial. She had relatives who worked in the advertising industry and her ensuing commercials opened more doors for her. Today she is a fixture on TV, doing VJ duties on MYX and hosting spots on the Studio 23 morning program, Breakfast and ABS-CBN 2’s Sunday noontime variety show, ASAP.
Although “Sakayan sa Jeep” is a pleasantly relaxing song, its subject seems out of tune for an elegant, Ateneo college sophomore like Gil. Her recording is actually a remake, the song originally interpreted by Lani Misalucha. “On the contrary, I still take the jeep,” she clarifies.
Asked who would she want to ride the jeepney with, the innocent schoolgirl in her came out when she excitedly mentioned her ASAP co-host Piolo Pascual. “Piolo would be fun, but he’s certainly one person who doesn’t ride the jeep,” she giggled. “Or he can’t ride the jeep. He would be mobbed!
“Gabby [Valenciano] would be perfect too. He rides the jeep and he’s always an ideal companion. He’s smart and very talented.”
Gabby Valenciano is the son of Gil’s other ASAP co-host, Gary Valenciano. The younger Valenciano and Gil have been dating but she insists that nothing is official yet. “We’re not exactly a couple but he’s forwarded his intentions,” she said.
Other tracks on the album include a remake of James Taylor’s “If I keep My Heart Out of Sight.” She said she wasn’t very familiar with the song and it was the people from EMI who suggested it. When she did record it, the Taylor classic went on to be one of her favorite tracks.
Original tracks include “Forever Is Not,” the pop-rock alternative “Two Weeks,” “Movin’” and “One Thousand Prayers” among others.
Gil also enjoys the music of Stacie Orrico and Alicia Keys. “Every song of Stacie has a positive message. I also kind of relate to Alicia Keys because like her, I sing and play the piano. I loved Geneva Cruz when she was with Smokey Mountain used to mimic her in her song ‘Kailan’ when I was a little kid.” (MNS)
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Assunta de Rossi is noticeably so skinny these days that one would think she’d been sick. But if Assunta now weighs only about 100 lbs. which is way below her ideal weight, it’s because she’s depressed most of the time that she loses the appetite to eat, she said.
But before she is misunderstood again, and before everyone puts the blame on her husband, former Cong. Jules Ledesma, Sam hastened to explain: She has been depressed not because of her personal life (she stressed that she and Jules have no marital problems at all) but because her acting career seems to be getting nowhere.
Which is a good enough reason to our mind. Because we believe the award-winning actress’ talent and potential are not being utilized by ABS-CBN with whom she is under contract till year 2006.
Assunta married well as everyone knows and for this, she doesn’t need to work. But she loves her craft and so she thirst for avenues wherein to make use of her talent. If one with a passion like Assunta is denied this opportunity, won’t he be depressed?
If Assunta had said she’s bored, it’s because she doesn’t have enough work to do. Being part of the soap opera “Vietnam Rose” (which goes on its second day today) is definitely not much work for her. Assunta and her husband can’t be blamed therefore, if they’ve expressed feelings of discontent with the way ABS-CBN Talent Center has been handling the actress’ career.
Right now, if she has her way, Assunta would like to flee her home studio and find work somewhere else. But her hands are tied because of her contract which she renewed just recently. (MBE)
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